The Reading / Listening - Level 5

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is going to take two months of paternity leave after the birth of his daughter. This tells all would-be fathers to get involved in their newborn's life. Zuckerberg is only taking half of the time Facebook gives male employees for paternity leave. Nevertheless, it sets a good example on the responsibilities of fatherhood. Zuckerberg wrote: "This is a very personal decision. Studies show that when working parents take time to be with their newborns, outcomes are better for the children." He added: "We're excited to start this next stage in our lives."

Over the past decades, more companies have given men fully paid paternity leave. However, many men are reluctant to take up this benefit. Technology companies are often in the forefront of looking after employees, but even their male employees have been hesitant. Many male workers continue working so they don't fall behind on projects or miss out on promotions. The UK reported just a small increase in the amount of paternity leave taken recently. An employment specialist gave some advice to men who were unsure about taking paternity leave: "Be courageous".

Try the same news story at these levels:

    Level 4 or  Level 6

Sources
  • http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2015/11/23/2015112300527.html
  • http://blogs.babycenter.com/mom_stories/mark-zuckerberg-plans-on-taking-a-2-month-paternity-leave/
  • http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/b05d721a-8ebd-11e5-8be4-3506bf20cc2b.html


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

The Activities

MATCHING

PARAGRAPH ONE:

1.

after the birth

a.

fatherhood

2.

This tells all would-

b.

of his daughter

3.

it sets a good

c.

decision

4.

the responsibilities of

d.

for the children

5.

a very personal

e.

be fathers to get involved

6.

parents take time to

f.

stage in our lives

7.

outcomes are better

g.

example

8.

We're excited to start this next

h.

be with their newborns



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ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers
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PARAGRAPH TWO:

1.

Over the past

a.

behind

2.

Technology companies are often

b.

in the amount

3.

they don't fall

c.

courageous

4.

miss out on

d.

in the forefront

5.

a small increase

e.

decades

6.

An employment

f.

to men

7.

gave some advice

g.

promotions

8.

Be

h.

specialist

LISTEN AND FILL IN THE GAPS

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg (1) ___________________ two months of paternity leave (2) ___________________ his daughter. This tells all would-be fathers (3) ___________________ in their newborn's life. Zuckerberg is only taking half of the time Facebook gives male employees for paternity leave. Nevertheless, (4) ___________________ example on the responsibilities of fatherhood. Zuckerberg wrote: "This is a very personal decision. Studies show that when working parents take (5) ___________________ their newborns, outcomes are better for the children." He added: "We're excited to start this next (6) ___________________."

Over the past decades, more companies (7) ___________________ fully paid paternity leave. However, many (8) ___________________ to take up this benefit. Technology companies (9) ___________________ forefront of looking after employees, but even their male employees have been hesitant. Many male workers continue working so they don't (10) ___________________ projects or miss out on promotions. The UK reported just a small increase in the amount of paternity leave taken recently. An employment specialist gave (11) ___________________ who were unsure about taking paternity leave: "(12) ___________________ ".

PATERNITY LEAVE SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about paternity leave in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper.

When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

 

STUDENT 1

_____________

STUDENT 2

_____________

STUDENT 3

_____________

Q.1.

 

 

 

 

Q.2.

 

 

 

 

Q.3.

 

 

 

 

Q.4.

 

 

 

 

Q.5.

 

 

 

 

WRITE QUESTIONS & ASK YOUR PARTNER(S)

Student A: Do not show these to your speaking partner(s).

a)

________________________________________________________

b)

________________________________________________________

c)

________________________________________________________

d)

________________________________________________________

e)

________________________________________________________

f)

________________________________________________________

g)

________________________________________________________

h)

________________________________________________________

 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------  

Student B: Do not show these to your speaking partner(s).

a)

________________________________________________________

b)

________________________________________________________

c)

________________________________________________________

d)

________________________________________________________

e)

________________________________________________________

f)

________________________________________________________

g)

________________________________________________________

h)

________________________________________________________

FREE WRITING

Write about paternity leave for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

Answers

(Please check your answers against the article above.

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